Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Extreme Planet #: Deep Inside the Earth – Emily Bone. Illustrated by Rodrigo Cordeiro

    Journey to the Earth’s Core, with flaps Harper Collins Australia September 2023 We are all familiar with the high quality of Usborne’s books, particularly the informational titles and this one will have enormous appeal to your Smalls who are budding geologists. It is a sturdy, large-sized board book so will withstand much handling, particularly as…

  • Beginnings and Endings – Jedda Robaard

    Harper Collins Australia August 2023 A couple of years ago, I had the great pleasure of being invited, in my role of teacher-librarian, to deliver a session for the SCBWI Bibliotherapy Symposium. Of course, providing books with specific purpose has been a natural part of my role for children, teachers and parents over the past…

  • The Puppets of Spelhorst – Kate DiCamillo

    Walker Books Australia October 2023 ISBN13:9781529512854 Australia RRP:$24.99 New Zealand RRP:$27.99 Kate DiCamillo never disappoints and this is no exception. I’d been keenly anticipating it since I first got wind of this new series a while back and so was thrilled to receive the ARC which, of course, I promptly devoured in one gulp. Kate…

  • Do Penguins’ Feet Freeze? The Natural History Museum

    CSIRO Publishing August 2023 ISBN: 9781486317820 RRP: $27.99 Ok, so technically, this is not about penguins per se, following up my last two posts, but given the title it was the obvious choice as next cab off the rank – or penguin off the floe, as the case may be. This is actually one of…

  • The Littlest Penguin – Jedda Robaard. The Penguin Foundation

    and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade Penguin Australia October 2023 Waddling along on a bit of a penguin theme, just look at this absolutely exquisite gem of a book! Follow Littlest Penguin as she is raised by her doting parents, leaves her burrow for the first time, makes friends, and embarks on her grown-up penguin…

  • Plume-lollapalooza!!

    The series teaching notes are now available!! Enjoy all things Plume and penguin with your Smalls.

  • Borderland – Graham Akhurst

    UWA Publishing October 2023 ISBN: 978760802646 RRP: $22.99 This is a really fresh perspective on First Nations YA, and was a hugely enjoyable and gripping read.  Jono and Jenny have known each other all their lives and have just graduated as the inaugural First Nations scholarship students from their private school. Both enrol at Brisbane’s…

  • Which Way Round the Galaxy – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia SEP 26, 2023 | 9781444973501 | RRP $22.99 IMPRINT: Hodder Children’s Books I’ve absolutely adored Cressida Cowell’s previous series – along with millions of others – but this newest one is just so crackerjack that I really think it is my favourite so far. This is the second instalment in this firecracker fantasy/adventure which centres on the…

  • Love Emma Memma!

    While I really was only vaguely aware of Emma before her books came out (given we haven’t had any kiddos in the Wiggles zone for a decade), I am absolutely loving her books. These two new ones are very much squarely aimed at your younger audience, and so beautifully interactive that your Smalls will love…

  • Raise Your Wands – Vale Dumbledore :(

    I know all my fellow Potterheads will be incredibly sad to learn the news of the death of Sir Michael Gambon, who brought Dumbledore to life for us. Thank you Albus. Michael Gambon, star of Harry Potter and The Singing Detective, dies aged 82